Do younger or older Australians drink more alcohol?
Among Australians who drink alcohol, the usual quantity consumed per day differs by age. Australians aged 18-24 years generally consume more standard drinks on a day they drink than any other age group. Those aged 70+ years are most likely to have 2 or less standard drinks per occasion.
Among Australians aged 14-17 years who drink alcohol, 45% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 21% have 3-4 standard drinks; 11%* have 5-6 standard drinks; 15% have 7-10 standard drinks; 3%* have 11-12 standard drinks; and 5%* have 13 or more standard drinks.
Among Australians aged 18-24 years who drink alcohol, 32% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 23% have 3-4 standard drinks; 16% have 5-6 standard drinks; 17% have 7-10 standard drinks; 4% have 11-12 standard drinks; and 8% have 13 or more standard drinks.
Among Australians aged 25-29 years who drink alcohol, 41% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 29% have 3-4 standard drinks; 10% have 5-6 standard drinks; 12% have 7-10 standard drinks; 2% have 11-12 standard drinks; and 5% have 13 or more standard drinks.
Among Australians aged 30-39 years who drink alcohol, 50% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 28% have 3-4 standard drinks; 10% have 5-6 standard drinks; 9% have 7-10 standard drinks; 2% have 11-12 standard drinks; and 2% have 13 or more standard drinks.
Among Australians aged 40-49 years who drink alcohol, 51% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 26% have 3-4 standard drinks; 12% have 5-6 standard drinks; 8% have 7-10 standard drinks; 1% have 11-12 standard drinks; and 2% have 13 or more standard drinks.
Among Australians aged 50-59 years who drink alcohol, 55% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 24% have 3-4 standard drinks; 11% have 5-6 standard drinks; 7% have 7-10 standard drinks; 0.9% have 11-12 standard drinks; and 2% have 13 or more standard drinks.
Among Australians aged 60-69 years who drink alcohol, 63% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 24% have 3-4 standard drinks; 7% have 5-6 standard drinks; 4% have 7-10 standard drinks; 0.2%* have 11-12 standard drinks; and 0.7%* have 13 or more standard drinks.
Among Australians aged 70+ years who drink alcohol, 76% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 17% have 3-4 standard drinks; 4% have 5-6 standard drinks; 3% have 7-10 standard drinks; 0.2%** have 11-12 standard drinks; and 0.1%** have 13 or more standard drinks.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).
*Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
**Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.
Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.